Just because the gates close doesn’t mean the fun is over
Monday, June 8, 2009
To quote The Who, “The song is over. It’s all behind (us).” The Strut is at an end, and as usual, it was a smoky evening of food and fun.
“But what if I just got my groove on and the police are telling me to disperse?” I’m sure some of you are asking. Well, I’m glad you did because otherwise this blog would have no purpose, and I’d be out of a job.
(Author’s note: That’s a much better question to ask than, “What if I hate The Who?” which is a stupid question I wouldn’t have bothered to answer.)
The good news is that just because the Strut (or any Riverbend night) is over doesn’t mean you have to go home. Actually there are plenty of opportunities to continue your revelry into the wee small hours.
Last night, I reminded you that the first annual Strut After Party was taking place, but JJ’s Bohemia (231 M.L. King Blvd.) is offering live music tonight and almost every night of the festival through Saturday.
JJ’s is fortunate in that its usual late-night starts coincide with the conclusion of the festival and that the venue is more established than in previous years, said John Shoemaker, who co-owns the venue with his wife Jeni Brown.
“We can have a good night crowd with a lot of people overflowing from the festival,” he said. “I usually try and put the same type of music on as what's going on that night.
“I was really worried about (hosting music) because Riverbend does pull the crowd, but I think this year, it's been even busier.”
I only harp on the availability of live music because some venue owners either offer either a much-diminished calendar during Riverbend week or go great guns and end up disappointed when no one shows. The newly opened Tin Can (618 Georgia Ave.) didn’t even bother trying to book bands for Friday and Saturday night because owner Jim Gange said the showing last week was so awful.
Several bands scheduled to perform at Market Street Tavern (850 Market St.) canceled their gigs for this weekend (for reasons unrelated to Riverbend), but co-owner Dustin Choate said he won’t bother rebooking since people may be music’d out anyway.
“People will come in that have already enjoyed plenty of music. We’ll just have a chill, laid-back night,” he said.
But if you’re still up for music when you depart the festival? Don’t worry, there are other options, amigos.
Here are some solid post-Riverbend shows scheduled for the coming days:
n Tonight, for $5, you can check out Christabel and the Jons, the Hot Seats and Husky Burnette, who should be taking the stage at JJ’s Bohemia in about an hour.
n If you are going to miss the Gaslight Street Band’s performance on the Bud Light Stage on Wednesday, you’ll have another chance to hear them Thursday at Rhythm & Brews (221 Market St.). The show starts at 10 p.m. Cover is $5.
n Friday, Rhythm & Brews will host another killer show featuring local rock bands The Bohannons and Up With the Joneses (a heck of a double bill, if you’re not familiar with them) for just $7. The show starts at 10 p.m.
n Friday and Saturday, local rock outfit Adrenaline Drop will play no-cover shows at Bud’s Sports Bar (5751 Brainerd Road) starting at 10 p.m.
n Saturday at Midtown Music Hall (820 Georgia Ave.), the local chapter of GoGirls, a national organization supporting female musicians, will host its own minifestival with eight bands. Things will get going at 7 p.m., and tickets are $7.
To see a full calendar listing for events happening at local venues, go to the FYI Weekend Web site at fyi.timesfreepress.com
E-mail Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com
